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Austin Healey involved in racing's deadliest crash sells for more than $1 million

December 1, 2011

The Austin Healey 100 from the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans. Photo by BONHAMS

The Austin Healey 100 that was involved in motorsport's deadliest crash during the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans sold for more than $1 million during Bonham's December Sale at Mercedes-Benz World in England on Dec. 1.

On lap 35 of the race, the Austin Healey, driven by Lance Macklin, made a sudden move to pass the hard-braking No. 6 Jaguar of Mike Hawthorne entering its pit box. Macklin swerved into the path of the faster No. 20 Mercedes driven by Pierre Levegh.

Levegh was driving close to 150 mph when he ran into the left rear of the Austin Healey. The impact sent the Mercedes into the air as pieces flew off the car. Macklin was sent spinning down the front stretch in the Healey. The engine from Levegh's car flew through the crowd, along with other bits and pieces, while Levegh and the chassis came down on top of the trackside barrier and burst into flames. Levegh and 83 spectators died in the crash, while another 120 were injured.